Tuesday 23 June 2015

Install Electrical Sockets

Electrical sockets, or outlets as they are usually called, allow us to hook up or plug in the various devices in and around our home to supply the power needed to operate them. Installing a new socket to replace a faulty one will not only get you back up and running, it will also be much safer for your family. Following a few basic steps will help you to install electrical sockets correctly. Does this Spark an idea?

Instructions


1. Locate the main circuit breaker in your home. This is typically in the garage or utility room. Locate the breaker that is supplying power to the outlet that will be replaced. Turn this breaker to the off position.


2. At the outlet, use the voltage line tester to verify the power is turned off. Carefully place one probe in the left side of the top outlet and the other probe in the right side of the top outlet. If no lights come on, the power is off.


If lights do in fact light up (meaning it is receiving power), stop and return to the main circuit panel and turn off the breakers until you have turned off power to the outlet to be replaced. Verify with the tester that the power is off.


3. With the power to the outlet now off, remove the cover plate. Place the cover and screw to the side for reuse.


4. Using the screwdriver, remove the screws that are holding the socket/outlet in the electrical box. Pull the outlet out of the box as far as the wiring will allow.


5. Remove the screws holding the three wires to the socket and discard the outlet.


6. Looking at the back of the new socket/outlet to be installed, connect the wiring using the following process:


Connect the black/red (hot) wire to the brass/gold screw. Connect the white (neutral) wire to the silver screw. Connect the green/bare (ground) wire to the green screw. Tighten each of the screws to a snug fit.


7. Push the wiring back into the electrical box and mount the socket/outlet to the electrical box using the included screws.


8. Mount the cover plate over the outlet using the screw and screwdriver.


9. Turn the breaker to the outlet back to the on position. Using the electrical voltage tester, verify that power is flowing to the socket. Insert one probe into the left side of the top outlet, and insert the second probe in the right side of the top outlet. The light on the tester should now light up, indicating that power is getting to the outlet and it is now ready for use.

Tags: side outlet, power outlet, socket outlet, that power, cover plate, left side